Dr. Richard Carmona Wanted Tobacco Banned, Yet Invested Up To $90,000 In Big Tobacco

Carmona’s Hypocrisy Proves Once Again That Arizonans Can’t Trust Him

PHOENIX – Arizonans continue to realize that Richard Carmona can’t be trusted, because while he led the crusade against the use of tobacco, a new report reveals that he actually owned up to $90,000 in tobacco companies.

During his time as the Surgeon General, Carmona made it very clear that he opposed the use of tobacco products and second-hand smoke. Additionally, Carmona said that he would view his tenure a success if he was able to persuade one student or one mother not to smoke.

Yet after he left that post, Carmona proceeded to purchase up to $90,000 of stock with Philip Morris and Altria. Additionally, as President Obama personally recruited him to run for office, he continued to hold onto these stocks because he shared this information on his personal disclosure form.

As the Arizona Republic reports:
"Richard Carmona, the former U.S. surgeon general who is now running for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, until recently owned mutual funds containing stocks in the tobacco giants Altria Group and Philip Morris International. ... According to his financial-disclosure report, Carmona's holdings in Altria Group and Philip Morris International were worth between $6,006 and $90,000. Cigarette packs carry a surgeon general's warning about health risks. Carmona was an outspoken critic of tobacco during his 2002 to 2006 tenure as President George W. Bush's surgeon general. In 2006, he issued a major report detailing the health consequences of involuntary exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. In 2003, Carmona told a congressional committee that he saw ‘no need for any tobacco products in society.’” (Dan Nowicki, Carmona deals with mutual-funds issue, Arizona Republic, 9/28/12)
"As Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona led the crusade against the dangerous effects of smoking, yet when he left that post he proceeded to purchase up to $90,000 of stock in tobacco related companies,” said Arizona Republican Party spokesman Tim Sifert. "It’s just another reminder that Mr. Carmona is a phony politician who can’t be trusted.”

BACKGROUND ...

As Surgeon General, Richard Carmona Was Strongly Against The Use Of Tobacco
"Cigarettes, Snuff And Other Forms Of Tobacco Should Be Banned, Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona Told Congress Yesterday.” (Kristen B. Mitchell,"Ban All Tobacco, Official Suggests,”Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/4/03)
"‘I See No Need For Any Tobacco Products In Society,’ Carmona Said In His First Appearance Before A House Panel Since His Confirmation Last Summer.” (Kristen B. Mitchell,"Ban All Tobacco, Official Suggests,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/4/03) "Carmona Is Believed To Be The First Surgeon General To Call For An Outright Ban Of Tobacco.” (Kirsten B. Mitchell and Kevin Begos,"Tobacco-Ban Plan Draws Regional Fire,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/5/03)
"Quietly Leaving His Post As Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona Said He Would Judge Himself Successful If He Had Persuaded One Student To Make Good Health Choices Or One Mother To Stop Smoking.” (Kevin Freking,"Surgeon General Carmona Leaves Post,” The Associated Press, 8/1/06)
"Carmona’s Report Condemning Secondhand Smoke Was A Hallmark Of His Tenure As The Nation’s 17th Surgeon General.” (Kevin Freking,"Surgeon General Carmona Leaves Post,” The Associated Press, 8/1/06)

Yet After He Left, Carmona Purchased Up To $90,000 In Philip Morris & Altria
"Richard Carmona, the former U.S. surgeon general who is now running for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, until recently owned mutual funds containing stocks in the tobacco giants Altria Group and Philip Morris International. ... According to his financial-disclosure report, Carmona's holdings in Altria Group and Philip Morris International were worth between $6,006 and $90,000. Cigarette packs carry a surgeon general's warning about health risks. Carmona was an outspoken critic of tobacco during his 2002 to 2006 tenure as President George W. Bush's surgeon general. In 2006, he issued a major report detailing the health consequences of involuntary exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. In 2003, Carmona told a congressional committee that he saw ‘no need for any tobacco products in society.’” (Dan Nowicki, Carmona deals with mutual-funds issue, Arizona Republic, 9/28/12)

###

www.azgop.org/article/dr--richard-carmona-wanted-t...bacco

#RichardCarmona #AZSEN
http://chumly.com/n/16feec8